Northampton_16-36122.pdf
November 21, 2016
Gary Hartwell
Smith College
126 West Street
Northampton MA 01063
Northampton Conservation Commission
210 Main Street Room 11
Northampton MA 01060
RE: Applicant: Gary Hartwell
Project Location: College Lane
Project Description: Second Floor Addition and Entry Deck with Elevated Accessible Walk
DEP Wetlands File No.: 246-0699
NHESP Tracking No.: 16-36122
Dear Commissioners & Applicant:
The applicant listed above has submitted a Notice of Intent with site plans (dated 10/20/2016) to the
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
(the “Division”), in compliance with the rare wildlife species section of the Massachusetts Wetlands
Protection Act Regulations (310 CMR 10.59).
MA WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT (WPA)
Based on a review of the information that was provided and the information that is currently contained
in our database, the Division has determined that this project, as currently proposed, will not adversely
affect the actual Resource Area Habitat of state-protected rare wildlife species. Therefore, it is our
opinion that this project meets the state-listed species performance standard for the issuance of an
Order of Conditions.
Please note that this determination addresses only the matter of rare wildlife habitat and does not
pertain to other wildlife habitat issues that may be pertinent to the proposed project.
MA ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (MESA)
The project occurs within designated Priority Habitat of Rare Species and therefore requires review
through a direct filing with the Division for compliance with the MESA. The MESA is administered by the
Division, and prohibits the Take of state-protected species, which includes actions that “in reference to
animals…harm…kill…disrupt the nesting, breeding, feeding or migratory activity…and in reference to
plants…collect, pick, kill, transplant, cut or process…Disruption of nesting, breeding, feeding, or
migratory activity may result from, but is not limited to, the modification, degradation, or destruction of
Habitat” of state-listed species (321 CMR 10.02).
NHESP No.16-36122, Page 2
For a MESA Project Review Checklist and additional information about the MESA review process, please
visit our website: www.mass.gov/dfw/nhesp/regulatory-review. Please note that all proposed and
anticipated development must be disclosed, as MESA does not allow project segmentation (321 CMR
10.16).
No soil or vegetation disturbance, work, clearing, grading or other activities related to the subject
filing may be conducted anywhere on this project site until the Division has completed its MESA
review. If you have any questions regarding this letter please contact Daisy Medeiros, Endangered
Species Review Assistant, at (508) 389-6357.
Sincerely,
Thomas W. French, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
cc: Trustees of Smith College
Jeff Squire, The Berkshire Design Group, Inc.
MA DEP Western Region